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Angiostrongylus vasorum infection has been associated with coagulopathies including hyperfibrinolysis. We compared coagulation status including thromboelastometry (ROTEM) parameters in dogs naturally infected with A. vasorum versus healthy dogs to determine clinicopathological parameters associated with bleeding, hypocoagulopathy, and hyperfibrinolysis. Clinical signs, white blood cell count, platelet count, hematocrit, plasmatic coagulation tests (PT, aPTT, fibrinogen concentration), D-dimer, and ROTEM S parameters (Ex-tem, In-tem, Fib-tem, Ap-tem) were analysed and compared between bleeding, nonbleeding, and control dogs and between hypo- and normocoagulable animals. Clinical signs of bleeding were present in 6/9 (67%) hypocoagulable and 1/9 (11%) normocoagulable dogs. PT, fibrinogen concentration, and several ROTEM parameters were significantly different between hypocoagulable and normocoagulabe A. vasorum infected dogs. Hyperfibrinolysis was identified in 44% of infected dogs and was significantly more common in bleeding and hypocoagulable dogs. Hyperfibrinolysis was significantly associated with low MCFFib-tem but not with low fibrinogen concentration or increased D-dimers. CFTEx-tem &gt, 248 swas 100% sensitive and 89% specific to predict hyperfibrinolysis. Hyperfibrinolysis, hypocoagulability and bleeding are common in A. vasorum infected dogs. Only Ex-tem and Fib-tem parameters and potentially PT were associated with bleeding or hypocoagulability. Ex-tem analysis enables detection of bleeding, hypocoagulability and hyperfibrinolysis within minutes.

Objective The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of acute traumatic coagulopathy (ATC) and identify associated clinical and laboratory parameters including rotational thromboelastometry. Study Design Dogs presenting within 6 hours after trauma were allocated to the ATC or non-ATC group based on thromboelastometry analysis (ex-tem S, in-tem S, fib-tem S). ATC was defined as ≥2 hypocoagulable parameters in 1 profile and ≥ 1 hypocoagulable parameter in an additional profile. Parameters used were ex-tem and in-tem clotting time (CT), clot formation time (CFT), maximum clot firmness (MCF), maximum lysis and fib-tem MCF. Clinical and laboratory parameters at presentation, animal trauma triage (ATT) score, transfusion requirement and outcome were compared. Logistic regression was used to identify independent factors associated with ATC. Results Eleven of 33 dogs presented with ATC and showed ex-tem CT and CFT prolongation and reduced MCF amplitude in all profiles (all p Conclusion Acute traumatic coagulopathy is more common in traumatized dogs than previously reported. Acute traumatic coagulopathy was associated with acidosis, Animal trauma triage score, time after trauma and higher transfusion needs. Coagulation abnormalities include ex-tem CT and CFT prolongations and decreased clot strength.

Rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM) is a viscoelastic coagulation test that allows the evaluation of haemostasis from clot formation to clot dissolution. The aim of this retrospective study was to describe the changes in haemostasis using ROTEM parameters in dogs presenting with spontaneous or traumatic haemoperitoneum and to evaluate any associations between clinical and laboratory parameters at presentation with the ROTEM. We hypothesized that the dogs would show signs of hypocoagulability and hyperfibrinolysis and that these changes would correlate with the degree of hypoperfusion. Clinical records were searched for a period of 5 years for dogs presenting with a haemoperitoneum und for whom a -ROTEM analysis at presentation was carried out. Forty dogs were identified, and various clinical and laboratory parameter (heart rate, blood pressure, blood glucose, lactate, serum albumin concentration, PCV (venous and abdominal), ionized calcium, pH and base excess) were retrieved. The following ROTEM parameters were analysed: extrinsic clotting time (ExTEM CT), clot formation time (ExTEM CFT), clot firmness (ExTEM MCF) and maximum lysis (ExTEM ML), as well as fibrinogen (FibTEM) CT and MCF. Compared to institutional reference intervals, dogs with haemoabdomen showed prolongation of ExTEM and FibTEM CT, ExTEM CFT and 50% were hypocoagulable and 62% thrombocytopenic. No hyperfibrinolysis could be detected. Multiple linear regression models showed an association between decreased base excess, trauma and ROTEM signs for hypocoagulability. Furthermore, age was associated with a stronger fibrin clot. In conclusion, 50% of the dogs presented hypocoagulable and changes in ROTEM parameters are similar to those seen with consumption coagulopathy. Base excess and trauma were associated with hypocoagulability, while increasing age was associated with a stronger fibrin clot.Als viskoelastisches Verfahren kann die Rotationsthromboelastometrie (ROTEM) die Hämostase von der Gerinnselbildung bis hin zur -auflösung aufzeichnen. Das Ziel dieser retrospektiven Studie war es die Veränderungen in der Hämostase an Hand von ROTEM Parametern bei Hunden zu beschreiben, die mit spontanem oder traumatischem Hämoabdomen vorgestellt wurden. Weiter wurde der Zusammenhang zwischen den ROTEM Parametern und ausgewählten klinischen und Labor-Parametern untersucht. Wir stellten die Hypothese auf, dass die Hunde Zeichen von Hypokoagulabilität und Hyperfibrinolyse aufweisen, und diese Veränderungen mit der Ausprägung der Hypoperfusion korrelieren. Innerhalb des 5-jährigen Untersuchungsrahmens wurden vierzig Hunde mit Hämoabdomen vorgestellt, für die bei Vorstellung eine ROTEM-Analyse durchgeführt wurde. Bei diesen Hunden wurden aus den Krankengeschichten klinische Parameter wie Herzfrequenz, Blutdruck, Glukose und Laktat, Serumalbumin, peripherer und abdominaler Hämatokrit, ionisiertes Kalzium, pH und Basenüberschuss herausgesucht. Die folgenden ROTEM Parameter wurden evaluiert: extrinsische Gerinnungszeit (ExTEM CT), Gerinnselbildungszeit (ExTEM CFT), Gerinnselstärke (ExTEM MCF) und maximale Lyse (ExTEM ML) sowie Fibrinogen (fib-tem) CT und MCF. Im Vergleich zu den Referenzintervallen zeigten die Hunde verlängerte ExTEM und FibTEM CT und verlängerte ExTEM CFT, 50% waren hypokoaguabel und 62% thrombozytopenisch. Hyperfibrinolyse konnte nicht dargestellt werden. ­Multiple lineare Regressionsmodelle haben einen ­Zusammenhang zwischen einem verminderten Basenüberschuss, Trauma und ROTEM Zeichen für Hypokoagulabilität dargestellt. Weiter war Alter mit einem stärkeren Fibrin-Gerinnsel assoziiert. Zusammenfassend präsentierten sich 50% der Hunde hypokoaguabel und die ROTEM Veränderungen entsprechen am ehesten einer Verbrauchskoagulopathie.La thromboélastométrie rotationnelle (ROTEM) est un test de coagulation viscoélastique qui permet d’évaluer l’hémostase depuis la formation du caillot jusqu’à sa dissolution. Le but de cette étude rétrospective était de décrire les changements de l’hémostase à l’aide des paramètres ROTEM chez des chiens présentant un hémopéritoine spontané ou traumatique et d’évaluer d’éventuelles association entre les paramètres cliniques et de laboratoire lors de la présentation avec le ROTEM. Nous avons émis l’hypothèse que les chiens montreraient des signes d’hypocoagulabilité et d’hyperfibrinolyse et que ces changements seraient en corrélation avec le degré d’hypoperfusion. Les dossiers cliniques ont été recherchés surune période de 5 ans pour les chiens présentant un hémopéritoine et pour lesquels une analyse ROTEM à la présentation avait été effectuée. Quarante chiens ont été identifiés et divers paramètres cliniques et de laboratoire (fréquence cardiaque, tension artérielle, glycémie, lactate, concentration d’albumine sérique, PCV (veineux et abdominal), calcium ionisé, pH et excès basique) ont été relevés. Les paramètres ­ROTEM suivants ont été analysés: temps de coagulation extrinsèque (ExTEM CT), temps de formation de caillot (ExTEM CFT), fermeté du caillot (ExTEM MCF) et lyse maximale (ExTEM ML), ainsi que fibrinogène ­(FibTEM) CT et MCF. Par rapport aux intervalles de référence admis, les chiens avec hémoabdomen ont montré une prolongation d’ExTEM et FibTEM CT, ExTEM CFT, 50% étaient hypocoagulables et 62% thrombocytopéniques. Aucune hyperfibrinolyse n’a pu être détectée. Plusieurs modèles de régression linéaire ont montré une association entre une diminution de l’excès basique, des traumatismes et des signes ROTEM d’hypocoagulabilité. De plus, l’âge était associé à un caillot de fibrine plus fort. En conclusion, 50% des chiens présentaient une hypocoagulabilité et les changements dans les paramètres ROTEM sont similaires à ceux observés lors de coagulopathie de consommation. Un excès basique et un traumatisme étaient associés à une hypocoagulabilité, tandis qu’une augmentation de l’âge était associée à un caillot de fibrine plus fort.Come metodo viscoelastico, la tromboelastometria rotazionale (ROTEM) può registrare l’emostasi dalla formazione del coagulo alla dissoluzione. Lo scopo di questo studio retrospettivo era quello di descrivere le modifiche nell’emostasi nei cani presentati con emoaddome spontaneo o traumatico utilizzando i parametri REDEM. Oltre a ciò è stata analizzata la relazione tra i parametri ROTEM e selezionati parametri clinici e di laboratorio. Abbiamo ipotizzato che i cani mostravano segni di ipocoagulabilità e iperfibrinolisi e che questi cambiamenti erano correlati al grado di ipoperfusione. Quaranta cani con emoaddome sono stati presentati nell’ambito dei 5 anni di studio e alla loro presentazione è stata effettuata un’analisi ROTEM. Per questi cani si sono analizzati i parametri clinici come la frequenza cardiaca, la pressione sanguigna, il glucosio e il lattato, l’albumina sierica, l’ematocrito periferico e addominale, il calcio ionizzato, il pH e la base in eccesso. Sono stati valutati i seguenti parametri ROTEM: tempo di coagulazione estrinseca (ExTEM CT), tempo di formazione del coagulo (ExTEM CFT), forza del coagulo (ExTEM MCF) e lisi massima (ExTEM ML) nonché fibrinogeno (fib-tem) CT e MCF. Rispetto agli intervalli di riferimento, i cani hanno mostrato una TAC ExTEM e FibTEM CT prolungata e una CFT ExTEM anch’essa prolungata, il 50% era ipocoagulabile e il 62% trombocitopenica. Non è stato possibile dimostrare l’iperfibrinolisi. I modelli di regressione lineare multipla hanno evidenziato una relazione tra la diminuzione dell’eccesso di base, il trauma e i segni ROTEM di ipocoagulabilità. Inoltre, l’età è stata associata ad un coagulo di fibrina più forte. In sintesi, il 50% dei cani presentava un’ipocoagulazione e i cambiamenti ROTEM si avvicinavano a una coagulopatia da consumo.

Tranexamic acid (TXA) is an antifibrinolytic drug that is used for uncontrolled bleeding of various origin. This retrospective study investigated the effect of tranexamic acid administration on bleeding tendency in dogs with surgically managed hemoperitoneum. Thirty dogs were treated with (TXA group) and 25 dogs without (CTR group) tranexamic acid prior to surgery. Various parameters (decrease in haematocrit, number of transfusions, shock index and changes in abdominal fluid accumulation) were used for characterization of bleeding tendency and compared between groups. Groups were similar at presentation and prior to surgery. None of the dogs undergoing rotational thromboelastography analysis showed hyperfibrinolysis prior to surgery. Overall transfusion and erythrocyte transfusion requirements as well as bleeding tendency, hospitalisation time and hospital discharge rate were similar between groups. Dogs of the TXA group received significantly more intraoperative plasma transfusions (P=0.013) and showed a higher systolic and mean arterial blood pressure (P=0.002 and 0.050) and lower shock index (P=0.028) with less dogs being in shock (P=0.012) at 24h. In summary, in this study population of dogs with surgically managed spontaneous hemoperitoneum dogs treated with tranexamic acid received more plasma transfusions intraoperatively and showed a lower shock index 24h after presentation. In dogs with surgically treated hemoabdomen tranexamic acid administration prior to surgery does not reduce red blood cell transfusion requirements or postoperative bleeding tendency.Tranexamsäure ist ein Fibrinolysehemmer, welcher bei unkontrollierten Blutungen verschiedener Ursachen eingesetzt wird. In dieser retrospektiven Studie wurde die Wirkung von Tranexamsäure auf die Blutungstendenz von Hunden mit chirurgisch stabilisiertem Hämoperitoneum untersucht. Dreissig Hunde wurden mit (Gruppe TXA) und 25 ohne Tranexamsäure (Kontrolle) behandelt. Verschiedene Parameter (Hämatokritabfall, Anzahl Transfusionen, Schockindex, Verlauf von abdominaler Flüssigkeit) wurden als Parameter für die Blutungstendenz zwischen den Gruppen verglichen. Bei Präsentation sowie präoperativ waren die Hunde beider Gruppen in allen untersuchten Parametern vergleichbar. Keiner der untersuchten Hunde zeigte Hyperfibrinolyse vor der Operation. Hämatokritabfall, Anzahl Erythrozytentransfusionen, Menge an abdominaler Flüssigkeit postoperativ, Hospitalisationzeit und Entlassungsrate zeigten keinen Unterschied zwischen den zwei Gruppen. Die Hunde der Gruppe TXA benötigten intraoperativ mehr Plasma-Transfusionen (P-Wert 0.013) und zeigten nach der Operation einen signifikant höheren systolischen und mittleren Blutdruck (P-Wert 0.002 und 0.050), einen tieferen Schockindex (P-Wert 0.028) und weniger Hunde waren im Schock (P=0.012). Zusammengefasst konnte in dieser Population von Hunden mit chirurgisch behandeltem spontanen Hämoabdomen kein reduzierter Transfusionsbedarf und keine Verminderung der postoperativen Blutungstendenz nach Therapie mit Tranexamsäure nachgewiesen werden. Tranexamsäure therapierte Hunde zeigten einen niedrigeren Schockindex 24h nach Präsentation und bekamen intraoperativ signifikant mehr Plasmatransfusionen verabreicht was die Interpretation der Resultate schwierig macht und keine eindeutige Aussage über den Nutzen von Tranexamsäure zulässt.L’acide tranexamique (TXA) est un médicament antifibrinolytique utilisé lors d’hémorragies incontrôlées d’origines diverses. Cette étude rétrospective analyse les effets de l’administration d’acide tranexamique sur la tendance aux hémorragies sur des chiens souffrant d’un hémopéritoine traité chirurgicalement. Trente chiens ont été traités avec de l’acide tranexamique avant chirurgie (groupe TXA) et vingt- cinq ne l’ont pas été (groupe CTR). Divers paramètres (baisse de l’hématocrite, nombre de transfusions, index de choc et modification de l’accumulation de fluide intrapéritonéal) ont été utilisés pour caractériser la tendance à l’hémorragie et effectuer une comparaison entre les deux groups. Les deux groupes étaient semblables lors de l’admission et avant la chirurgie. Aucun des chiens soumis à une analyse par thromboélastométrie rotationnelle ne montrait une hyper fibrinolyse avant la chirurgie. Les besoins en matière de transfusions en général ou de transfusions d’érythrocytes de même que la tendance aux hémorragies, la durée d’hospitalisation et le taux de sortie d’hospitalisation étaient semblables entre les deux groupes. Les chiens du groupe TXA ont reçu significativement plus de transfusions de plasma intra opératives (P=0.013) et présentaient des pressions systoliques et moyennes plus élevées (P=0.002 and 0.050) de même qu’un index de choc plus bas (P=0.028) avec moins de chiens souffrant de choc à 24 heures (P=0.012). En résumé, dans cette étude, la population de chiens présentant un hémopéritoine spontané traité chirurgicalement et ayant reçu de l’acide tranexamique a reçu plus de transfusions de plasma intra opératives et présentait un indexe de choc plus bas 24 heures après l’admission. Chez les chiens traités chirurgicalement pour un hémoabdomen, l’administration d’acide tranexamique avant l’opération n’a pas réduit les besoins en matière de transfusions d’érythrocytes ou la tendance aux hémorragies post-opératoires.L’acido tranexamico (TXA) è un farmaco antifibrinolitico usato nei casi di sanguinamento incontrollato di varia origine. Questo studio retrospettivo ha esaminato l’effetto della somministrazione di acido tranexamico sulla tendenza al sanguinamento nei cani con emoperitoneo trattato chirurgicamente. Prima dell’intervento chirurgico, trenta cani sono stati trattati con l’acido tranexamico (gruppo TXA) e 25 senza di esso (gruppo CTR). Vari parametri sono stati usati per caratterizzare la tendenza al sanguinamento e sono stati confrontati tra i gruppi (diminuzione dell’ematocrito, numero di trasfusioni, indice di shock e modifiche nell’accumulo di liquidi nell’addome). I gruppi erano simili alla presentazione e prima dell’intervento chirurgico. Nessun cane sottoposto a tromboelastografia rotazionale ha mostrato iperfibrinolisi prima dell’intervento. I requisiti generali di trasfusione e di trasfusione di eritrociti, così come la tendenza al sanguinamento, la durata dell’ospedalizzazione e la percentuale di dimissione ospedaliera erano simili tra i gruppi. I cani del gruppo TXA hanno ricevuto trasfusioni di plasma intraoperatorie significativamente più elevate (P = 0.013), hanno mostrato una pressione arteriosa sistolica e media più alta (P = 0.002 e 0.050) e un indice di shock inferiore (P = 0.028) con meno cani in stato di shock su 24 ore (P = 0.012). In sintesi, nella popolazione di questo studio, i cani affetti da emoperitoneo spontaneo gestito chirurgicamente e trattati con acido tranexamico hanno ricevuto più trasfusioni di plasma intraoperatorie e hanno mostrato un indice di shock inferiore 24 ore dopo la presentazione. Nei cani con emoaddome trattato chirurgicamente la somministrazione di acido tranexamico prima dell’intervento chirurgico non ha ridotto la quantità di trasfusione di eritrociti o la tendenza al sanguinamento postoperatorio.

Background Hydroxyethyl-starch (HES) solutions might have renal adverse effects in humans and dogs. Objective To determine if administration of 6% HES-130/0.4 is associated with an increase in serum creatinine concentration and development of acute kidney injury (AKI) in nonazotemic cats. Animals A total of 62 critically ill cats; 26 HES exposed and 36 unexposed. Methods Retrospective cohort study (2012–2015). Serum creatinine concentrations were recorded and changes in serum creatinine concentrations before exposure (baseline) and 2–10 and 11–90 days, respectively, were determined. Development of AKI was defined as a > 150% increase or >26 μmol/L increase in serum creatinine concentration from baseline. Risk factors, such as HES administration, cumulative volume of HES (mL/kg) and number of days of HES administration leading to development of AKI, and change in serum creatinine were analyzed. Results Cats in the HES cohort received a mean volume of 98.5 ± 76.2 mL/kg (range, 8–278 mL/kg) HES over a median of 4 (range, 1–11) days, resulting in a median dose of 20.1 (range, 8–40.5) mL/kg per day. Short-term %change in serum creatinine concentration (P = 0.40) and development of AKI (P = 0.32) were not significantly different between cohorts. Multivariable logistic regression did not identify HES dose in mL/kg (P = 0.33) and number of days of HES application (P = 0.49) as a risk factor for development of AKI. Conclusion and Clinical Importance Hydroxyethyl-starch administration to critically ill nonazotemic cats seems to be safe. A larger prospective study is required to determine the effect of HES administration at higher dosages and for prolonged time periods.

Background The pathomechanism of Angiostrongylus vasorum infection-associated bleeding diathesis in dogs is not fully understood. Objective To describe rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM) parameters in dogs naturally infected with A. vasorum and to compare ROTEM parameters between infected dogs with and without clinical signs of bleeding. Animals A total of 21 dogs presented between 2013 and 2016. Methods Dogs with A. vasorum infection and ROTEM evaluation were retrospectively identified. Thrombocyte counts, ROTEM parameters, clinical signs of bleeding, therapy, and survival to discharge were retrospectively retrieved from patient records and compared between dogs with and without clinical signs of bleeding. Results Evaluation by ROTEM showed hyperfibrinolysis in 8 of 12 (67%; 95% CI, 40–86%) dogs with and 1 of 9 (11%; 95% CI, 2–44%) dogs without clinical signs of bleeding (P = .016). Hyperfibrinolysis was associated with severe hypofibrinogenemia in 6 of 10 (60%; 95% CI, 31–83%) of the cases. Hyperfibrinolysis decreased or resolved after treatment with 10–80 mg/kg tranexamic acid. Fresh frozen plasma (range, 14–60 mL/kg) normalized follow-up fibrinogen function ROTEM (FIBTEM) maximal clot firmness in 6 of 8 dogs (75%; 95% CI, 41–93%). Survival to discharge was 67% (14/21 dogs; 95% CI, 46–83%) and was not different between dogs with and without clinical signs of bleeding (P = .379). Conclusion and Clinical Importance Hyperfibrinolysis and hypofibrinogenemia were identified as an important pathomechanism in angiostrongylosis-associated bleeding in dogs. Hyperfibrinolysis and hypofibrinogenemia were normalized by treatment with tranexamic acid and plasma transfusions, respectively.

Objective The aim of this study was to describe coagulation abnormalities and incidence of acute traumatic coagulopathy (ATC) in traumatized cats over the first 24 hours after admission. Study Design This was a prospective observational study at the university teaching hospital including 26 cats with acute ( Results The incidence of ATC was 15% and the most common ROTEM abnormalities in cats with ATC were clotting time and CFT prolongation in both extrinsic and intrinsic ROTEM profiles. After 24 hours, compared with presentation, significantly more cats were hypercoagulable (p = 0.047) and none of the cats showed hypocoagulopathy. Cats with ATC received significantly more blood transfusions (p = 0.008). Conclusion The incidence of ATC in cats is higher than previously reported. Clotting time and CFT prolongations seem to be more common than hyperfibrinolysis and 53% of the cats became hypercoagulable within 24 hours. While the clinical relevance of ATC in cats needs to be investigated, cats diagnosed with ATC required significantly more blood transfusions.

Hyperfibrinolysis (HFL) is a pathophysiological mechanism that has not been described in dogs or cats extensively. The aim of this study was to describe rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM) parameters and underlying diagnosis in dogs and cats with HFL and evaluate association with bleeding diathesis. The ROTEM database was retrospectively searched for EXTEM (ROTEM activated with proprietary tissue factor) tracings with maximum lysis at 60min ≥15%. Concurrent ROTEM and plasma coagulation tests, thrombocyte number, diagnosis and survival to hospital discharge were extracted from medical records. Analysis of differences between dogs and cats and of factors associated with bleeding, fulminant HFL (clot breakdown within 30min) and survival to hospital discharge were performed. Hyperfibrinolysis was detected in eight cats presenting with haemoabdomen or haemothorax (n=4/8, 50%) and trauma (n=3/8, 38%) and in 36 dogs with angiostrongylosis (n=12, 33%), neoplasia (n=7, 19%), liver disease (n=4, 11%) and others including apparently healthy dogs (n=3, 8%). Hyperfibrinolysis was associated with prolonged EXTEM and APTEM (EXTEM with added apoprotein for inhibition of HFL) clotting time and decreased FIBTEM (EXTEM with added cytochalasin D for inhibition of thrombocytes) maximum clot firmness (MCF) in dogs and cats and with decreased EXTEM MCF in dogs. Bleeding dogs had significantly hypocoagulable EXTEM tracings. Fulminant HFL was associated with severe hypofibrinogenaemia in dogs (P=0.005) and was not associated with survival to hospital discharge. Evidence of HFL was demonstrated in dogs and cats with bleeding, trauma, parasitic and neoplastic disease. HFL is associated with late and weak clot formation.

A 4-year old male Australian Cattle Dog involved in a road traffic accident was presented with severe polytrauma to the Small Animal Clinic, University of Zurich. He was presented in hemorrhagic shock, with an initial lactate of 10.3mmol/l and ongoing bleeding from multiple injury sites. Acute traumatic coagulopathy diagnosed with ROTEM within one hour after accident showed marked hypocoagulation and hyperfibrinolysis. Treatment with a total dose of 40mg/kg of tranexamic acid intravenously resulted in successful elimination of hyperfibrinolysis in the following, serially measured ROTEM tracings.Ein 4-jähriger, männlicher Australian Cattle Dog wurde mit schwerem Polytrauma nach einem Verkehrsunfall an der Kleitierklinik der Universität Zürich vorgestellt. Er war in hämorrhagischem Schock, hatte mehrere blutende Wunden und ein Laktat von 10.3mmol/l bei Eintritt. Die akute Traumatische Koagulopathie (ATC) wurde mittels Rotationeller Thromboelastometrie ( ROTEM) diagnostiziert und zeigte sich in markanter Hypokoagulabilität und Hyperfibrinolyse. Die Behandlung mit insgesamt 40mg/kg Tranexamsäure i.v. resultierte in einer erfolgreichen Therapie der Hyperfibrinolyse in den folgenden, seriell gemessenen ROTEM Untersuchungen.

Background Hydroxyethyl starch (HES) solutions may cause acute kidney injury (AKI) in humans. Objective To compare AKI grades in 94 dogs exposed and 90 dogs that were unexposed to 6% HES-130/0.4. Animals Dogs receiving 6% HES-130/0.4 (HES cohort) or crystalloids (unexposed cohort) between 2013 and 2015. Methods Historical cohort study. Diagnosis, total cumulative dose and total mL/kg of HES administered, time frame of HES administration and serum creatinine concentrations up to 90 days after initiation of HES treatment were retrospectively reviewed. The AKI grades were retrospectively determined by IRIS guidelines. Results Exposed dogs received a median cumulative dose of 69.4 mL/kg (range, 2–429 mL/kg) HES over a median of 4 (range, 1–16) days, resulting in a median dose of 20.7 (range, 2–87) mL/kg/d. Although the cohorts differed in terms of age and diagnosis, AKI grades were not significantly different at the evaluated short- and long-term time points. Results of ordinal logistic regression identified the number of days of HES administration as significantly associated with an increase in AKI grade within 10 days (P = .038), whereas there was no significant association among HES exposure, HES mL/kg/d, and an increase in AKI grade. Conclusions and Clinical Importance HES-130/0.4-treated dogs were not more prone to develop AKI than HES-untreated, but the number of HES days was significantly associated with an increase in AKI grade within 10 days post-HES administration. The time frame of HES treatment should be kept short. Prospective, randomized clinical trials are required to assess the effect of HES on renal function in dogs.

Objectives – To devise a veterinary triage list (VTL) and to determine whether the application of this VTL results in more accurate categorization of emergency patients compared with intuitive triage. Design – Prospective and retrospective observational study. Setting – Private veterinary emergency clinic. Animals – Four hundred and eighty-five client-owned dogs and cats. Interventions – None. Measurements and main results – A VTL was composed using a human triage system and data from medical records of the study group. Target waiting times were prospectively determined using intuition by veterinary nurses (TWT-N). Target waiting times were subsequently determined retrospectively by the use of the VTL (TWT-VTL). Both TWT-N and TWT-VTL were compared against target waiting times determined by a review team (TWT-R), which was considered the gold standard. TWT categories included 0, 15, 30–60, and 120 minutes, and were associated with triage categories red, orange, yellow, and green, respectively. Differences in agreement were tested for significance. One hundred and eighty-five dogs and 300 cats fulfilled the inclusion criteria. TWTN and TWT-R agreed on 30 cases of 67 (44.8%) in triage category red and 22 of 89 (24.7%) in category orange. TWT-VTL and TWT-R agreed on 64 cases of 67 (95.5%) in category red and 75 of 89 (84.3%) in category orange. Agreement between TWT-VTL and TWT-R (Pearson’s R = 0.848) was significantly greater (P < 0.001) than agreement between TWT-N and TWT-R (Pearson’s R = 0.519). Conclusions – Intuitive triage performed by veterinary nurses showed significantly less correlation with TWTR than triage performed with the VTL. A short physical examination in all emergency patients appears to be essential in recognizing critical disease. The use of a standardized VTL can help to categorize veterinary emergency patients.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the utility of nasotracheal tubes in postoperative oxygen supplementation in dogs following corrective surgery for brachycephalic syndrome. DESIGN: Retrospective study 2003-2007. SETTING: University teaching hospital. ANIMALS: Thirty-six client-owned dogs that underwent corrective surgery for brachycephalic syndrome. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Medical records were reviewed for animals that underwent surgical interventions for brachycephalic syndrome including palatoplasty, ventriculectomy, and rhinoplasty. Data collected included signalment, presenting complaints, analgesic and surgical interventions, type of supplemental oxygen therapy, complications and mortality occurring during hospitalization. A nasotracheal tube (NTT) was placed in 20 dogs at the end of surgery; 16 dogs received other forms of oxygen supplementation (8) or no oxygen supplementation (8) during recovery. The total number of postoperative complications was similar in both groups (8/20 dogs with NTTs and 7/16 in those without NTTs). However, respiratory distress was observed in 5 dogs without NTTs but was not observed in any dog while an NTT was in place. One dog in each group died postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Placement of an NTT was found to be easy and may offer benefit in dogs with brachycephalic syndrome as a noninvasive means of delivering oxygen. The use of NTT may minimize severe postoperative morbidity, in particular by reducing postoperative respiratory distress.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a case of a focal right ventricular rupture following removal of a rib-associated telangiectatic osteosarcoma (TOS) in a dog. CASE SUMMARY: A 2-year-old spayed female mixed-breed dog, weighing 20 kg, was presented in compensated hypovolemic shock due to active bleeding into the thoracic cavity. The dog was stabilized with appropriate fluid administration. Subsequent computed tomographic examination revealed a large mineralized mass originating from the body of a rib and displacing the heart. Two days after surgical removal of this mass, focal right ventricular rupture occurred and the dog died. The mass was later identified as a TOS. NEW OR UNIQUE INFORMATION PROVIDED: Although hemothorax secondary to TOS has been described previously, this report describes for the first time, spontaneous focal right ventricular rupture as a rare complication of thoracotomy and rib resection for the removal of a rib-associated, intrathoracic TOS.

SummaryThe goal of our study was to compare values of stromelysin activity in stifle joint tissues, from dogs with osteoarthritis, secondary to naturally acquired cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) rupture and from a control population.Twenty four dogs (CCL group) with osteoarthritis (OA), secondary to CCL rupture, were evaluated. The control groups consisted of 22 beagles (control #1) and 14 dogs (control #2) without CCL rupture. Articular cartilage, synovial membrane and CCL tissue specimens were harvested during operations in the CCL group and immediately following euthanasia in the control groups. The specimens were submitted for routine histology and for explant tissue cultures.Stromelysin activity was measured in the supernatant of explanted cultures. The results of stromelysin concentrations were reported as mean ± STD and compared to histological cartilage degeneration, synovial membrane inflammation and ligament changes. Stromelysin activity in cartilage explants of the CCL group (70 ± 82.5 U/g) was significantly higher when compared to the control #1 (4.2 ± 6.3 U/g) and control #2 (15 ±10 U/g) groups. The synovial membrane explant cultures of the CCL group produced less stromelysin compared to the control group. Whereas ligament cultures showed a tendency toward higher activity of stromelysin when compared to the control groups. An association between the severity of histological OA changes in the cartilage and stromelysin activity in cartilage explants was demonstrated. We conclude that dogs with OA, secondary to naturally acquired CCL rupture, release higher stromelysin levels in articular cartilage and cranial cruciate ligament explant cultures when compared to the controls. Our results indicate that stromelysin production in articular cartilage is related to the severity of OA.Stromelysin, one of the major metalloproteinases degrades articular cartilage mainly by cleavage of proteoglycans. Increased levels of stromelysin could be demonstrated in cartilage of stifle joints from dogs with naturally acquired cranial cruciate ligament rupture using a radioimmunoassay. There was an indication in this study that the activity of stromelysin is associated with the severity of osteoarthritic changes.Presented in part at the European College of Veterinary Surgeons Annual Scientific Meeting, Pörtschach-Austria, June 1998.

Two healthy cats underwent elective surgical procedures under general anesthesia. One developed severe esophagitis leading to esophageal rupture, mediastinitis, and pyothorax. The other cat developed esophageal stricture, diverticulum formation, and suspected iatrogenic perforation. Both cats had signs of dysphagia and regurgitation beginning a few days after anesthesia. The first cat also had severe dyspnea due to septic pleural effusion and pneumomediastinum. In the second cat, endoscopy revealed diffuse esophagitis, an esophageal stricture, and a large esophageal diverticulum. Rupture of the esophageal wall occurred while inflating the esophagus for inspection. Due to the poor prognosis, both cats were euthanized. Necropsy revealed severe esophageal changes. Postanesthetic esophagitis has been previously described in dogs and cats; however, severe life-threatening esophageal injuries rarely occur as a sequel to general anesthesia. To the authors' knowledge, esophageal rupture secondary to perianesthetic reflux has never been reported in cats.

Objective: To characterize the clinical findings in dogs and cats that sustained blunt trauma and to compare clinical respiratory examination results with post-traumatic thoracic radiography findings. Design: Retrospective clinical study. Setting: University small animal teaching hospital. Animals, interventions and measurements: Case records of 63 dogs and 96 cats presenting with a history of blunt trauma and thoracic radiographs between September 2001 and May 2003 were examined. Clinical signs of respiratory distress (respiratory rate (RR), pulmonary auscultation) and outcome were compared with radiographic signs of blunt trauma. Results: Forty-nine percent of dogs and 63.5% of cats had radiographic signs attributed to thoracic trauma. Twenty-two percent of dogs and 28% of cats had normal radiographs. Abnormal auscultation results were significantly associated with radiographic signs of thoracic trauma, radiography score and presence and degree of contusions. Seventy-two percent of animals with no other injuries showed signs of thoracic trauma on chest radiographs. No correlation was found between the radiographic findings and outcome, whereas the trauma score at presentation was significantly associated with outcome and with signs of chest trauma but not with the radiography score. Conclusion: Thoracic trauma is encountered in many blunt trauma patients. The RR of animals with blunt trauma is not useful in predicting thoracic injury, whereas abnormal chest auscultation results are indicative of chest abnormalities. Thorough chest auscultation is, therefore, mandatory in all trauma animals and might help in the assessment of necessity of chest radiographs.

OBJECTIVE To measure nitric oxide (NO) concentrations in serum, urine, and synovial fluid (SF) of dogs with naturally occurring cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) rupture and normal dogs, and to compare these with clinical and histologic changes of osteoarthritis (OA). STUDY DESIGN Prospective clinical study including 2 groups of animals selected from the hospital population. ANIMALS Forty-three dogs (CCL group) with OA secondary to CCL rupture; 30 healthy dogs (control group) without CCL rupture. METHODS Serum, urine, and SF were collected before and during surgery in the CCL group or immediately after euthanasia in the control group. Articular cartilage and synovial membrane tissue specimens were prepared for routine histologic examination. The stable end products of NO, total nitrite and nitrate (NOt) activity, were measured in body fluids and compared with macroscopic and histologic degrees of OA. Urinary NOt concentration was compared with urinary creatinine concentration and stated as urinary NOt:creatinine ratio (UNCR). RESULTS-SF NOt concentrations were not significantly different between the 2 groups. Serum NOt concentrations (45.6 vs 28.9 micromol/L; P =.042) and the UNCR (0.007 vs 0.004; P =.035) were significantly higher in dogs of the CCL group compared with the control population. An association between UNCR and histologic and macroscopical OA grades could be demonstrated. CONCLUSION UNCR might be a useful indicator of nitrite and nitrate production and, therefore, osteoarthritic changes in joints. CLINICAL RELEVANCE UNCR could be used as a tool to evaluate the NOt production by joint tissues over time and might therefore provide a method of evaluating the effects of drugs in the control of osteoarthritis.

Objective—To measure concentrations of nitric oxide metabolites (nitrite-nitrate [NOt]) in cartilage, synovial membrane, and cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) in dogs and evaluate associations with osteoarthritis in dogs with CCL rupture. Animals—46 dogs with CCL rupture and 54 control dogs without joint disease. Procedure—Tissue specimens for histologic examination and explant culture were harvested during surgery in the CCL group or immediately after euthanasia in the control group; NOt concentrations were measured in supernatant of explant cultures and compared among dogs with various degrees of osteoarthritis and between dogs with and without CCL rupture. Results—Osteoarthritic cartilage had significantly higher NOt concentration (1,171.6 nmol/g) than did healthy cartilage (491.0 nmol/g); NOt concentration was associated with severity of macroscopic and microscopic lesions. Synovial membrane NOt concentration did not differ between dogs with and without CCL rupture. Ruptured CCL produced less NOt than did intact ligaments. In control dogs, NOt concentrations were similar for intact ligaments (568.1 nmol/g) and articular cartilage (491.0 nmol/g). Synthesis of NOt was inhibited substantially by coincubation with inhibitors. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results suggest that NOt in canine joint tissues originates from the inducible nitric oxide synthase pathway. Nitric oxide metabolite production in cartilage was greater in dogs with osteoarthritis than in healthy dogs and was associated with lesion severity, suggesting that nitric oxide inhibitors may be considered as a treatment for osteoarthritis. The CCL produces substantial concentrations of NOt; the importance of this finding is unknown. ( Am J Vet Res 2000;61:530–536)